Category: Older Adults & Families

Setting up the Garmin Vivofit 4

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Many adults over 65 years report they do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines of 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Activity trackers promote self-efficacy and physical activity in an older adult. Therefore, activity trackers can be useful to monitor activity and safely guide increasing exercise amounts. The HOP-UP-PT base independence program supports the use of wearable activity trackers for all program participants. While the program does not endorse one specific product, recent study iterations have had success with the Garmin Vivofit4.

HOP-UP-PT reduces falling 8-fold

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HOP-UP-PT is excited to share an open access publication which provides strong evidence for the programs impact on reducing falls and fall risk. Notably, the study identified that those with the highest fall risk when beginning the HOP-UP-PT program had an 8-fold decrease in falls compared to older adults who continued with normal activity. The randomized controlled clinical trial was funded by a 2018 Michigan Health Endowment Fund Healthy Aging Award ($201,058).

HOP-UP-PT Receives Research Award at Physical Therapy Conference

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Two research studies about HOP-UP-PT were featured at the Michigan state conference for physical therapists and was recognized with a state-level research award. This provides further evidence of the effectiveness of the HOP-UP approach for empowering older adults’ freedom and independence.

Safe homes decrease falls

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Reducing falls and fall risk is best accomplished when it addresses multiple risk factors. The home environment is one critical area to consider as there are often overlooked hazards that are easy to fix. Older adults and their families should consider using The Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults. Healthcare providers may find the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) a useful tool to guide in home assessments and recommendations.

Otago-based Falls Prevention Exercise Program

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Join Dr. Tiffany Shubert, Physical Therapist and expert in aging, health, and wellness in video one of this multi-part falls prevention exercise program.

CDC’s STEADI Program integrated into HOP-UP-PT

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A core component of the Foundational HOP-UP-PT Independence Program is the application of the CDC’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries program.  A highly regarded program available to the public and healthcare providers, STEADI helps identify and treat falls and fall related injuries. 

“Stay Independent” brochure and fall risk screening tool

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The Stay Independent brochure, available as a component of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention STEADI programming, contains a Fall risk Screening questionnaire that is useful to older adults and their families, community centers, and health care providers. The 12-question screening tool is a validated fall risk self-assessment tool (Rubenstein et al. J Safety Res; Read More

Otago Exercise Video – Level B

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Welcome to the HOP-UP-PT interactive exercise video to guide you in the Otago exercise program.

This program was designed to help you maintain your strength and mobility and to help prevent falls. This video is intended for participants who have viewed the complete demonstration video and are ready to complete the program, start to finish without interruption.

The Upstream Approach to Health

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An upstream approach to healthcare aims to examine and then impact the root causes of a health-related problem rather the symptoms. The approach can bring about downstream improvements in health outcomes and decrease healthcare costs. HOP-UP-PT uses this approach as the foundation of all evaluations, interventions, and programming.